Regulation of gonadal androgen secretion.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of physiological mechanisms without systematic search methodology or primary clinical data
PubMed 6309641 · doi:10.1159/000179774
What was done
This narrative review summarizes physiological mechanisms controlling androgen secretion in the testes and ovaries, examining the roles of pituitary gonadotropins (LH, FSH), prolactin, growth hormone, thyroid hormones, and local intragonadal paracrine peptides.
What was found
The abstract provides qualitative mechanistic descriptions and contains no numerical data. Testicular androgen secretion is driven by LH and FSH modulating Leydig cell responsiveness, supported by prolactin, growth hormone, and thyroid hormones. Ovarian androgen secretion follows a similar pattern, though prolactin exerts an inhibitory effect. Intratesticular androgen actions support spermatogenesis via Sertoli cell androgen-binding protein and inhibin secretion. In the ovary, theca-derived androgens serve as precursors for granulosa aromatization. Local intragonadal feedback regulators include Sertoli-derived estrogens, nonaromatizable androgen inhibition of aromatase, FSH receptor-binding inhibitory peptides, and LH-RH-like gonadocrinins that suppress steroidogenesis.
Why it matters
The paper outlines the endocrine and intragonadal feedback loops coordinating reproductive steroidogenesis and gametogenesis.
Limits
The abstract describes a narrative mechanism-based review without systematic search methodology, quantitative statistical results, sample sizes, or primary human clinical data.
Cited by
- supports In women, theca cells produce testosterone in the gonads, functioning analogously to Leydig cells in men.